JP2009510922A5 - - Google Patents

Claims (23)

Said wireless network access point having an Ethernet Media Access Control (MAC) coupled to a dedicated wireless network access point (WAP) processor;
A sensor coupled to the wireless network access point processor;
With
The sensor collects data from external sensors related to applications other than network management,
The processor encapsulates the external sensor data according to a local area network (LAN) communication protocol, sends control signals to the sensor,
The wireless network access point sends the encapsulated external sensor data related to an application other than network management to the central network server for processing via the LAN communication protocol. Device.   The device of claim 1, wherein the wireless network access point includes one or more pass-through wireless communication network ports.   The device of claim 2, wherein the wireless network access point is configured to couple to a communication network infrastructure with an existing wired communication network access point.   The device of claim 2, wherein the communication network infrastructure includes a telephone and a data network. A housing for mounting to an exterior surface of a wall including the wireless network access point, the housing including an opening serving as a passage through the housing;
A removable insert configured to fit in the opening;
The device of claim 2, further comprising a first connector accessible to connect the wireless network access point to a first communication cable inside the wall.   The device of claim 5, wherein the housing contains the sensor.   6. The device of claim 5, wherein the removable insert includes a second connector for connecting a second communication cable inside the wall to a communication cable outside the wall.   The device of claim 7, wherein the removable insert further comprises the sensor.   The device of claim 7, wherein the second connector comprises an Ethernet (RJ-45) jack or a telephone (RJ-l1) jack.   6. The device of claim 5, wherein the removable insert includes a cover plate to prevent physical access through the passage.   The device of claim 5, wherein the removable insert includes the sensor.   The device of claim 11, wherein the sensor is electrically coupled to the wireless network access point via a pigtail connector.   The device of claim 11, wherein the sensor is electrically coupled to the wireless network access point via a built-in connector.   The device of claim 5, wherein the first communication cable carries data and power signals.   The device of claim 1, wherein the wireless network access point operates in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 standard. The sensor is
A thermometer,
A photodetector;
A still image camera,
A video camera,
A smoke detector,
A motion detector;
A weather sensor,
An audio detector;
An electrical conductivity detector;
The device of claim 1, wherein the device is selected from the group comprising combinations thereof.   The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is physically incorporated in a housing of the wireless network access point.   The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is removably coupled to the wireless network access point.   The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is communicatively coupled to a server via a local area network (LAN).   The device of claim 1, wherein the sensor is configured to be electrically coupled to a bus in the wireless network access point that accesses a processor and Ethernet signaling circuitry.   The device of claim 20, wherein the sensor comprises a physical sensing device electrically coupled to an analog to digital converter electrically coupled to a link driver in communication with the processor.   The device of claim 21, wherein the sensor includes a compander electrically coupled between the physical sensing device and the analog to digital converter.   The sensor includes an analog comparator having an input from a physical sensing device and an output of a digital-to-analog converter, the output of the analog comparator being electrically coupled to the processor, the digital-to-analog conversion 21. The device of claim 20, wherein the output of the device is programmable by the processor.